Calls for Buxton town centre proposed parking changes to be delayed

Council chiefs have called for proposed controversial parking changes for Buxton town centre to be delayed.

Derbyshire County Council set out new waiting restrictions, pay and display zones and residents’ permit parking areas in January.

The proposals were met with strong opposition - and now calls are being made to postpone the changes until a full review takes place.

Responding on behalf of High Peak Borough Council, executive director, Dai Larner, said: “Given the wide-ranging impact of the proposals, we believe that the right thing to do would be to delay the implementation of any changes until a full strategic review of on and off street car parking and travel options has been carried out between the two authorities.”

The consultation for the changes closed on Friday (February 10).

Last week Buxton county councillor, Caitlin Bisknel, claimed she had been told the parking plans would go no further - for now. However, the county council could not confirm this.

Details of the proposals state there would be no waiting at any time restrictions on sections of Park Road, St John’s Road, Burlington Road, Bath Road, West Road, Lismore Grove, Lismore Park and Water Street.

No waiting areas between 10am and 4pm on Lismore Road and Lismore Grove would also be introduced.

Pay and display meters would be installed on Bridge Street which would operate daily between 8am and 6pm, allowing a two-hour stay with no return within an hour.

The north and south side of The Crescent - including the central traffic island - may also have parking meters.

Mr Larner said he believes it is important for the two authorities to work together to deliver a ‘joined up solution’.

He added: “We are concerned that residents and businesses in Buxton are already required to make an unfair and disproportionate contribution to parking management costs, through higher costs and greater restrictions, than other areas of the county. The council is therefore concerned that the proposals for additional pay and display spaces, which appear to be finance-driven, will exacerbate the current unfairness rather than merely compensate for lost revenue caused by the removal of the current spaces in the Crescent.”

Announcing the changes last month, Derbyshire County Council said: “The proposals take into account the loss of town centre parking spaces due to the Crescent development and introducing new pay and display restrictions.”